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Into 2009; What rules?? Tubes or Solid State

I know that this question has had endless debate over the years and that there is also alot of 'Hybrid Equipment' which makes it hard to neatly categorize. Also, at what price points are we talking about?

But those things aside, if you had to make the choice starting from scratch in 2009, which way would you go?? Tubes or Solid State??
brauser

Showing 3 responses by tvad

tvad
9,467 posts
 
Neither rules. Each can result in outstanding sound with benefits that the other
design lacks.

One's choice is dependent on correct amplifier/speaker match, and on personal
listening priorities.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Guido, you must have been reading my mind.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I have owned tubed amplification and preamplification from VAC (Phi series
and Musicbloc series), Atma-Sphere, Lamm Industries (preamps only).

I have owned solid state amplification from Pass Labs, McCormack, Belles
Reference, Bryston and Odyssey.

I have owned hybrid amplification from Moscode.

The Pass Labs, Atma-Sphere, VAC Phi and Moscode amplification are all on
a pretty even plane regarding imaging, accuracy of timbre and every other
audiophile attribute provided they are driving properly matched loudspeakers.
One's choice between them is up to one's personal preferences.

The Belles, VAC MusicBloc series and McCormack are one-half level down,
and the Bryston and Odyssey are a full level down. IMO.

Having said that, if I were to start over, I'd choose high sensitivity, high
impedance/flat-impedance-curve loudspeakers, and I'd drive them with
tubes...probably an Atma-Sphere or Lamm product, but I would also consider
several other smaller tube amp manufacturers along with a Pass Labs XA-
30.5 solid state amp. 'Cause nothing does everything perfectly.
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